Summary

Louise North doesn't care what the neighbors think. She lets her lover leave his car just outside her house in broad daylight, telling everyone he is a central heating salesman. Still, it's a shock when she's found shot dead, covered by the equally dead body of the "salesman." It was his third visit to the gloomy house on Orchard Drive. Each time, he parked in the same place. Each time, he carried a briefcase. And each time, Louise North greeted him at the door.... Susan Townsend was the only resident with no interest in the affair going on next door, or in the neighbourhood gossip about it. Yet when Susan finds Louise shot dead, underneath the equally dead body of her lover, it is Susan who must help Louise’s husband, Bob, to get back on his feet. But is she really a helpful neighbor or, a murderer?

People who bought this also bought...

Customer Reviews

Was life really like this?

Quite apart from the detective element, which I really enjoyed, this was worth the price as a period piece. I was brought up in the 70s and this book evoked such memories of times when men were men and went to work, and women stayed home (and had cleaners! - but no central heating).

Beautifully read as always by Simon Russell Beale, capable of infusing menace into a company annual report and balance sheet.

The Secret House Of Death

This murder mystery, set in a fictional suburb of north west London makes for an extremely rewarding listening experience. Susan Townsend is a divorcee living in a street where the neighbours like to gossip, when Louise North is found dead with her lover, Bernard Heller, the whole community is shocked. It is then a game of cat and mouse to determine the truth.

I am slowly working through Rendell's back catalogue on Audible, so it's a huge treat to hear the stories instead of reading them.

Simon Russell Beale is a sublime narrator and able to portray a huge range of characters. More please.